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2.5 Tools and Strategies

When searching for rental housing, use popular websites such as Craigslist, Kijiji and Padmapper, but also expand your search beyond the internet. Not all landlords know how to advertise their properties online, so look for ads on bulletin boards in coffee shops, “vacancy” signs outside buildings, and listings in local newspapers. It can also be a good idea to spread the word throughout your network of family, friends, coworkers, teams, and clubs. Even strangers or acquaintances may have a lead on your future home, so consider mentioning your housing search when buying groceries, walking your dog, getting a haircut, or settling your bill at a restaurant.

 

Digital Footprint

While searching for rental housing, you might want to Google yourself. Do you have old posts, comments, or photos that some people might find questionable? Should some of your privacy settings be more restricted? If there is information on the internet that may cause a landlord to decline your rental application, take a proactive approach to remove or hide that content.